Juneau – Today, the Alaska House of Representatives passed legislation making time-sensitive appropriations to cover unanticipated expenses. House Bill 321, the “fast track” supplemental appropriations bill, totals $110.2 million, of which $92.0 million is from unrestricted general funds (UGF).

“This fast-track supplemental is the product of the House and Senate working together to come to an agreement earlier, rather than later, on some of the FY 18 supplemental budget requests,” said House Finance Committee Co-Chair Representative Paul Seaton, “The remaining supplemental requests from the Governor are still being analyzed and will be considered for inclusion in the capital budget, as has been the case in recent years.”

Major items in the bill include $45 million for the Medicaid program to cover costs through April, $18.3 million for the Department of Corrections to cover higher than anticipated numbers of inmates and inmate health care costs and $24 million to fully fund the Alaska Marine Highway System. HB 321 also deposits $30 million for the Community Assistance Fund for distribution in FY 19, transfers $4 million to the Alaska Disaster Relief Fund, and provides $5 million for the Alaska Permanent Fund to pay for increased investment management resources related to recent growth to the fund.

House Bill 321 passed the Alaska House of Representatives today by a vote of 32-7. The bill now goes to the Alaska State Senate for expedited consideration.

Juneau – Today, the Alaska House of Representatives passed House Resolution 6, weighing in on the 2019-2024 National Outer Continental Shelf Oil and Gas Leasing Draft Proposed Program. The current draft program calls for lease sales in 14 of the 15 planning areas in Alaska (there are a total of 26 planning areas across the country).

“With this resolution, the Alaska House joins Alaska’s entire Congressional delegation, the Governor, and a number of tribes and other stakeholders who have requested that 11 of the 14 planning areas be removed from the draft proposed plan,” said Representative Geran Tarr (D-Anchorage) “The Chukchi and Beaufort Seas planning areas have far and away the greatest estimated recoverable reserves for oil and gas, and while the Cook Inlet Planning Area has more modest potential, it is a critical source of affordable energy for Alaska’s most populous region. Lease sales in other areas are unlikely to attract significant interest, would create tremendous controversy, and would wastefully expend State and Federal money on lease sales which would not lead to development.”

HR 6 was successfully amended on the floor by Representative John Lincoln (D-Kotzebue) to further request that the existing deferrals in the Chukchi and Beaufort Seas be continued in future lease sales.

“My district is home to the world’s most productive zinc mine, and one of the world’s preeminent oil fields,” said Rep. Lincoln “But we also rely on subsistence and have preserved our way of life by keeping it in the forefront of our minds whenever we pursue economic development. My amendment simply asks that we keep intact decades of work between industry and local communities identifying and protecting a crucial migratory corridor for Bowhead whales and two modest subsistence hunting areas adjacent to the whaling communities of Kaktovik and Utqiaġvik.”

Originally introduced by the House Rules committee, Speaker of the House Bryce Edgmon (D-Dillingham) was added as the resolution’s primary sponsor on the House floor at the request of Minority Whip Mike Chenault (R-Nikiski) so that other members could add their names as co-sponsors.

“I am grateful that the House was able to move quickly and show overwhelming support for both economic development and respect for all stakeholders in that development,” said Speaker Edgmon, “I appreciate the Administration giving us the opportunity to speak to this issue, and hope they heed the combined voices of our Federal delegation, Governor, and State House.”

House Resolution 6 passed with strong bipartisan support, by a vote of 33-5. The resolution will be presented to Senator Murkowski after she makes her annual address to the Legislature on February 22nd.

]]>From the Desk of Rep. Seaton, February 19th, 2018: Greetings from Juneau on this 35th day of the session and Happy Presidents Dayhttps://mailchi.mp/1e6eb09e236f/april-24-2017-newsletter-3249193?e=117b652b4d
Mon, 19 Feb 2018 17:45:11 +0000http://akhouse.org/rep_seaton/2018/02/19/from-the-desk-of-representative-seaton-february-19th-2018-greetings-from-juneau-on-this-35th-day-of-the-session-and-happy-presidents-day/